Chapter 1190: The Crown Prince's Reminder

Early the next morning, before dawn had even broken, he braved the autumn dew and frost to enter the palace, heading straight for Chuigong Hall to seek an audience with the Emperor. However, the result was destined to disappoint him. Facing the reception official who received him, Zhao Kuangyin said gravely, "Is His Majesty not in his bedchamber?"

Toward Zhao Kuangyin, the reception official appeared neither humble nor overbearing, cupping his hands in reply: "His Majesty left the palace early this morning for the Western Park. If Duke of Rong has important matters, you may go there to seek an audience!"

"Many thanks!" Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin's face, which could no longer be called heroic, could not help but knit together. He casually voiced his thanks and turned to leave.

Of course, he did not recklessly chase after the imperial carriage to the Western Park. The Emperor's absence at this time was clearly no coincidence—there must be deep meaning behind it. To rush over rashly was not something Zhao Kuangyin would do.

The late-autumn morning wind was already quite chilling, yet Zhao Kuangyin seemed not to notice it. He changed course toward the Ministry of War, pondering all the way what Emperor Liu's attitude toward this matter might be. Clearly, it was impossible to directly beg an imperial decree of mercy from Emperor Liu to obtain leniency or a reduced sentence.

His mood sank slightly, but on the surface he quickly regained his composure. He, Zhao Kuangyin, had weathered great storms before; this matter, though troublesome, was not enough to break him.

The sky was still early, and within the Ministry of War offices in the southern compound, all was quiet. Unconsciously, Zhao Kuangyin had been serving as Minister of War for nearly ten years now, and both inside and out, the ministry bore his imprint.

Seated behind his official desk, Zhao Kuangyin casually flipped through the official documents submitted from various regions. In particular, the southern expedition army's request for an additional allocation of weapons and clothing was something he could not afford to neglect.

"Greetings, Your Highness!" From outside came the respectful salutations of subordinate officials.

Zhao Kuangyin snapped back to attention, and Liu Yang's figure had already come into view. He hurriedly rose to pay his respects. Liu Yang displayed his grace, without any affectation, merely responding naturally. Compared to Emperor Liu's forceful and distinct personality, the Crown Prince's moderation clearly put his ministers more at ease.

"I heard that a military dispatch from Dali arrived last night. Is it urgent? I came specifically to have a look!" Liu Yang said.

"It is merely a request for the allocation of a portion of military supplies!" Ushering Liu Yang into the seat of honor, Zhao Kuangyin briefly explained the situation: "The required weapons and equipment will be allocated by the Ministry of War. As for clothing, it should be supplied by Jiannan. Winter is approaching, and the change in climate cannot be ignored!"

Hearing this, Liu Yang nodded and replied with a smile: "Since Duke of Rong has already reached a decision, there is naturally nothing improper about it. You may proceed accordingly!"

Looking at Zhao Kuangyin, Liu Yang asked him: "Now in the Great Han, the four seas are at peace, and nothing stirs within the realm. Only in the southwest do hostilities continue, and the entire court has its attention fixed there. Duke of Rong has long experienced the battlefield and is well-versed in military affairs. In your view, when will the southwestern campaign come to an end?"

Upon hearing the question, Zhao Kuangyin's first reaction was that the Crown Prince was getting impatient. Meeting his gaze, he said in a tone of counsel: "Your Highness, the southwestern region, constrained by its terrain and local conditions, is difficult to take quickly. One must not act with undue haste! At present, the advantage lies with our army. The Duan clan's ruler and ministers have retreated, merely prolonging their final gasp, and their power wanes by the day. Under such circumstances, we need only handle things with composure, and in the end, we can gradually eliminate them!"

On the current southwestern battlefield, the Han army had already achieved an absolute advantage. Since the enemy capital had fallen and communications had been completely opened up, military intelligence from the south had been arriving northward in succession, reassuring the ruler and ministers in Luoyang.

Up to the present, in the central and northern regions of the Dali kingdom, its principal cities and towns had all fallen under Han army control. After the two kings joined forces, they dispatched a detached force to occupy western Dali, and the officials, generals, and tribes within the territory mostly chose to surrender.

After resting and reorganizing, Wang Quanbin once again led his troops southward, marching toward Shanshan Prefecture, preparing to continue pursuing and suppressing the Duan clan's ruler and ministers. Essentially, once Shanshan was taken, the Dali kingdom could be declared completely dissolved.

Hearing Zhao Kuangyin's words, Liu Yang smiled and said evenly: "Commander-in-Chief Wang has reported that the Dong clan, a great family of Dali, has surrendered to the court and is willing to act as intermediaries, guiding the great army to pacify the disobedient. This Dong clan was an important supporter when Duan Siping first raised his forces. Later, they once dominated Dali's state affairs and participated in deposing and installing rulers. Although they have now declined, replaced by clans such as the Gao and Yang, they still wield a certain influence.

Chancellor Zhao has proposed that toward these old Dali clan forces, we adopt a policy of bribery and pacification. In this way, we can both quickly end the hostilities and use them afterward to check and balance those southwestern tribes.

What does Duke of Rong think?"

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin thought briefly, then beamed with joy and replied: "If this is so, Dali can indeed be taken quickly! Moreover, toward the fleeing Duan clan, the court can likewise win them over, treating their clansmen well, and can subdue the enemy without fighting.

After the war ends, if the court wishes to achieve peace and governance in the southwest, it cannot do without the support of these local clans and tribes. Implementing the native chieftain system is also an inevitable matter. Therefore, granting official ranks and benefits is a viable path!"

Liu Yang merely nodded, without any further reaction. Seeing this, Zhao Kuangyin asked: "Does Your Highness have other concerns?"

Liu Yang raised a finger and said: "The tribes of Dali stand in multitudes and contend against one another—they are not worth worrying about. Granting them native offices and posts will suffice to pacify them. However, the Duan clan and those great families have operated in the southwest for many years, their roots entangled and their foundations deep. If we indulge them too much, we may gain temporary peace, but can we guarantee that in the long run, they will not become a threat to the court?"

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin slightly furrowed his brow. Toward his concern, he was in fact somewhat dismissive in his heart. After all, the southwest was not the heartland of the Central Plains, and being remote with inconvenient transportation, complete governance was not so easy. Even without those great clans, Liu Yang's concern would still arise.

However, though he thought this way, Zhao Kuangyin still said aloud: "What Your Highness worries about is quite right! Then let us issue an order to the southwestern field headquarters to weaken those great clans. Even if it means relocating them all away from their homelands, that would not be improper."

"Let us first see how the subsequent battle situation develops!" Liu Yang sighed.

After finishing this matter, Zhao Kuangyin looked at Liu Yang, his face deliberately making some expressions. Seeing this, Liu Yang asked: "Why does Duke of Rong seem to hesitate to speak?"

Zhao Kuangyin seized the opening and continued: "Your Highness, have you heard of the trouble caused yesterday by the young men of the Han and Chang families?"

Meeting his gaze, Liu Yang understood in his heart. Taking a sip of tea, he said: "This matter is serious—it even resulted in loss of life. I have heard something of it!"

Seeing his reaction, Zhao Kuangyin took a deep breath and said with some indignation: "Your Highness, that brat Han Qingxiong, reckless and audacious, in a moment of rage actually took a life. He truly deserves death!"

But then his tone shifted, and he asked: "I wonder, Your Highness, what are your views on this matter?"

In Zhao Kuangyin's gaze there actually appeared a trace of expectation. Liu Yang pondered for a moment, weighing matters in his mind, then said calmly: "The state has its own laws. Handling it according to the statutes will be fair after all!"

As he spoke, he raised his eyes and said with a light smile to Zhao Kuangyin: "I also know that Duke of Rong has always had a close relationship with the late Marquis Han Wuning, almost like brothers!"

Hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin sighed and also spoke openly: "To be frank with Your Highness, I too am angered by this boy's reckless actions in violating the state's laws, and I wish I could carry out the execution myself. However, he is after all my nephew. If I sat by and watched him go to his death, my heart could not bear it."

Zhao Kuangyin's words could already be considered candid. Liu Yang, however, kept in mind Emperor Liu's instructions. After thinking for a moment, he said: "When Duke of Rong was in the army, you governed your troops with great strictness and military discipline was severe, and so the soldiers were sincerely submissive and willing to follow you unto death. Now that your nephew has broken the law, you should also understand that the state's laws are severe!"

Zhao Kuangyin smiled bitterly: "This is precisely where my difficulty lies! Though the third son of the Han family is unworthy, he is the last remaining bloodline..."

Seeing Zhao Kuangyin in this state, a flicker of hesitation passed across Liu Yang's face. Over these years, Zhao Kuangyin had been quite respectful toward him as Crown Prince and had often provided assistance. After some consideration, Liu Yang decided to offer a reminder: "Duke of Rong, this matter should be handled according to the established laws of the court. One must not interfere arbitrarily!"

These words made Zhao Kuangyin's heart tighten, and he immediately thought of Emperor Liu. Frowning, he pondered for a few moments, then looked seriously at Liu Yang: "Your Highness, does my nephew truly have no hope of surviving at all?"

Liu Yang fell silent. He could not give him a definitive answer, but instead said: "This matter must first depend on how the Luoyang Prefecture tries and judges it!"